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Flu season has arrived and the Saint Louis County Department of Health is urging all residents six months of age and older be vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Even those who aren’t worried about catching the flu should be vaccinated.

“For many, flu is just an inconvenience, but for some it can be life threatening,” said Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, director of the health department. “Getting vaccinated is not just about protecting yourself. It’s also about protecting others.  If you don’t catch the flu, then you can’t spread the flu.”

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine offers protection against several different strains of flu based on recommendations from experts around the world who determine each year which types are most likely to be circulating in the fall.

To find out where to go for seasonal flu vaccinations, residents are encouraged to visit the Saint Louis County Department of Health’s flu website at www.SaintLouisCountyFlu.com

Depending on the severity of the outbreak, between 15 and 60 million Americans are infected by seasonal flu each flu season.  Over 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications and around 36,000 of them die.

Other standard precautions being urged by the county health department are:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to maintain a distance of three feet between you and others.
• Stay home when you are sick or think you may be getting sick.